U.S. patent application number 11/427469 was filed with the patent office on 2008-01-03 for sampling device.
Invention is credited to Brendi M. Cumberland, Alan J. Fujii, Scott D. Manske, Elias A. Shaheen.
Application Number | 20080003144 11/427469 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38876861 |
Filed Date | 2008-01-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20080003144 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Cumberland; Brendi M. ; et
al. |
January 3, 2008 |
SAMPLING DEVICE
Abstract
Provided is sampling device and method for the detection of an
analyte of interest on an environmental surface. The sampling
device includes a first reservoir adapted to contain a first
liquid, a second reservoir adapted to contain a second liquid, a
swab holder coupled to the first reservoir and the second
reservoir, a swab disposed within the swab holder, and an
activation member coupled to the first and second reservoirs
opposite the swab holder. After the swab is used to collect a
sample from an environmental surface, and upon application of an
activation force on the activation member, the first and second
reservoirs are placed in fluid communication with the swab holder
and the first and second liquids flow into the swab holder to
contact the swab. The swab develops an indicator color if the
sample of the environmental surface contained the analyte of
interest.
Inventors: |
Cumberland; Brendi M.;
(Pleasanton, CA) ; Fujii; Alan J.; (Newport Beach,
CA) ; Manske; Scott D.; (Pleasanton, CA) ;
Shaheen; Elias A.; (Danville, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
THE CLOROX COMPANY
P.O. BOX 24305
OAKLAND
CA
94623-1305
US
|
Family ID: |
38876861 |
Appl. No.: |
11/427469 |
Filed: |
June 29, 2006 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
422/400 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B01L 2300/0867 20130101;
B01L 2400/0406 20130101; B01L 2300/047 20130101; B01L 3/5029
20130101; B01L 2400/0694 20130101; G01N 1/10 20130101; B01L 2200/16
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
422/99 |
International
Class: |
B01L 3/00 20060101
B01L003/00 |
Claims
1. A sampling device comprising: a first reservoir adapted to
contain a first liquid; a second reservoir adapted to contain a
second liquid; a swab holder coupled to said first reservoir and
said second reservoir; a swab disposed within said swab holder; an
activation member coupled to said first reagent reservoir and said
second reagent reservoir opposite said swab holder; and wherein,
upon application of an activation force on said activation member,
said first reservoir and said second reservoir are placed in fluid
communication with said swab holder and said first liquid and said
second liquid flow into said swab holder.
2. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said first liquid
comprises BCA.
3. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said second liquid
comprises a Cu.sup.++ containing solution.
4. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said swab comprises
absorbent non-woven material.
5. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said swab projects beyond
a swab opening of said swab holder.
6. The sampling device of claim 1 further comprising a swab
protector removably coupled to said swab holder.
7. The sampling device of claim 6 wherein said swab protector is
configured as a flexible, sheet-like layer.
8. The sampling device of claim 6 wherein said swab protector once
first removed from said swab holder may be re-coupled to said swab
holder.
9. The sampling device of claim 6 wherein said swab protector is
opaque.
10. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said activation member
is configured as a rigid tab.
11. The sampling device of claim 1: wherein said first reservoir
contains a Cu.sup.++ containing solution; and wherein said second
reservoir contains BCA.
12. The sampling device of claim 1: wherein said first reservoir
comprises: a frangible tube having an open-end portion and a
closed-end portion opposite said open-end portion; wherein said
second reservoir comprises: a frangible tube having an open-end
portion and a closed-end portion opposite said open-end portion;
and wherein said first reservoir and said second reservoirs
restrict respective liquids contained therein against flow through
said open-end portion of said first reservoir and said open-end
portion of said second reservoir, respectively, by capillary
action.
13. The sampling device of claim 12: wherein said first reservoir
further comprises a weakened portion proximate said closed-end
portion of said first reservoir, and; wherein said second reservoir
further comprises a weakened portion proximate said closed-end
portion of said second reservoir.
14. The sampling device of claim 1 wherein said activation member
is bifurcated into a first activation member coupled to said first
reservoir and a second activation member coupled to said second
reservoir.
15. The sampling device of claim 14: wherein, upon application of a
first activation force on said first activation member, said first
liquid flows to said swab holder, and; wherein, upon application of
a second activation force on said second activation member, said
second fluid flows to said swab holder.
16. The sampling device of claim 1 further comprising at least one
additional reservoir coupled to said swab holder and adapted to
contain an additional liquid.
17. A method for the use of a sampling device of claim 1 for the
rapid calorimetric detection of proteins in mold, allergens, or
other protein-containing substances comprising: selecting materials
of construction of said sampling device that are compatible with a
first liquid and a second liquid in disposed in said sampling
device; loading said first liquid and said second liquid into said
sampling device; coupling a swab protector of said sampling device
to a swab holder of said sampling device; storing said sampling
device until use; removing said swab protector from said swab
holder; collecting a sample from a candidate environmental surface
with a swab disposed in said swab holder; applying an activation
force on an activation member of said sampling device to flow said
first liquid and said second liquid into said swab holder;
developing an indicator color on said swab; and determining the
presence or absence of said indicator color.
18. The method of claim 16 wherein said first liquid comprises BCA
and said second liquid comprises a Cu.sup.++ containing solution.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates generally to disposable
calorimetric sampling devices, and, more specifically, to a
disposable calorimetric sampling device for the detection of
protein-containing substances.
[0003] 2. Description of the Related Art
[0004] With the increased awareness of health and wellness in the
home and other indoor environments, there is growing interest in
assessing how efficacious household cleaning products are in
denaturing/destroying mold, allergens and other proteins known to
potentially cause negative health effects.
[0005] Colorimetric assays utilizing sampling devices for the
detection of protein in biological samples are commonly used across
various industries (biotech, healthcare, food, etc). These sampling
devices require minimal manipulation of the protein-containing
samples and allow for rapid qualitative and quantitative
results.
[0006] Among the various available calorimetric protein assays is
one disclosed in U.S. Pat. No. 4,839,295 to Smith, incorporated
herein in its entirety, that utilizes a Bicinchonic Acid (BCA)
protein assay. This assay is based on the initial complexation of
Copper [II], hereinafter Cu.sup.++ or cupric ion, with protein
peptides under alkaline conditions, with the reduction to Copper
[I], hereinafter Cu.sup.+ or the cuprous ion, in a
concentration-dependent manner. The ligand BCA is then added in
excess, and a purple color develops (562 nm peak absorbance) upon
binding of BCA with Cu.sup.+.
[0007] Protein detection assays are available through biotechnology
companies such as Pierce and Sigma, and Biotrace International. In
one prior art assay, a plunger, whose reagent-covered swab is used
to collect a sample, is inserted into a covered chamber containing
reagent and kept separate from the actual plunger.
[0008] However, there is a need for the development of a sampling
device and method that is equally reliable to the other options
already available on the market, but that can also be more
conveniently distributed to a larger number of people, more
conveniently used in the home, and easily disposed. The current
methods of protein detection are unsuitable for home diagnostic
applications because of their lack of user-friendly qualities for
those not skilled in science, the possibility of misplacing their
multiple parts, and the lack of an efficient means of distributing
the product to the consumers at a low cost. Further, there is a
need for the development of a sampling device with additional
versatility to accommodate multiple reagent liquids in one sampling
device. Accordingly, there is a need for improved methods and a
versatile sampling device for the rapid detection of proteins in
mold, allergens or other protein-containing substance for
convenient use in a household.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0009] The aforementioned needs are satisfied by the sampling
device of the present invention that includes a first reservoir
adapted to contain a first liquid, a second reservoir adapted to
contain a second liquid, and an activation member coupled to both
the first reservoir and the second reservoir. A swab holder is
coupled to the first and second reservoirs opposite the activation
member and is adapted to contain a swab.
[0010] The first reservoir is configured as a frangible tube having
an open-end portion and a closed-end portion opposite the open-end
portion. The second reservoir is similarly configured as a
frangible tube having an open-end portion and a closed-end portion
opposite the open-end portion. The first and second reservoirs
restrict contained liquids against flow through their open-end
portions by capillary action.
[0011] The activation member is coupled to both the first and
second reservoirs at their respective closed-end portions. Weakened
portions of the tubes making up the first and second reservoirs are
adjacent respective closed-end portions of the first and second
reservoirs.
[0012] The swab holder defines a cavity and has a swab holder
opening or aperture. The swab holder is coupled to the first and
second reservoirs at a reservoir-coupling end opposite the swab
holder opening of the swab holder. The reservoir-coupling end of
the swab holder is open to the first and second reservoirs allowing
the swab holder to be placed in fluid communication with the first
and second reservoirs.
[0013] A swab is disposed within the cavity defined by the swab
holder. The swab may project beyond the swab holder opening of the
swab holder to allow for easier sampling of an environmental
surface by the swab during use of the sampling device. In one
embodiment, the swab is configured as a pad of absorbent non-woven
material.
[0014] Prior to use of the sampling device of the present
invention, the swab may be protected from moisture and contaminants
in the ambient environment by a swab protector removably coupled to
the peripheral edge of the swab holder opening of the swab holder.
The swab protector is configured as sheet-like layer overlying the
swab and closing off the swab holder opening of the swab holder.
The swab protector also protects the first and second liquids
since, prior to use of the sampling device of the present
invention, the first and second reservoirs are not open to the
ambient environment. In one embodiment, the swab protector, once
first removed, may be replaced on the swab holder and re-coupled
thereto to again protect the swab from contaminants in the ambient
environment.
[0015] Upon application of an activation force on the activation
member, the first reservoir and the second reservoir are placed in
fluid communication with the swab holder and the first and second
liquids flow into the swab holder and contact the swab. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the activation member is
configured as rigid tab coupled to the closed-end portions of both
the first and second reservoirs. The application of the activation
force breaks the weakened portions of the tubes making up the first
and second reservoirs adjacent their respective closed-end portions
thereby opening up the closed-end portions of the first and second
reservoirs to the atmosphere. The capillary forces holding the
first and second liquids in their respective reservoirs are
released allowing the liquids to flow into the swab holder. In one
embodiment, a mixing chamber is interposed between the reservoirs
and the swab holder to intermingle the first and second liquids
prior to their flowing into the swab holder and contacting the
swab.
[0016] In another embodiment, each of the first and second
reservoirs is separately coupled to a first activation member and a
second activation member, respectively. Upon application of a first
activation force on the first activation member, the first
reservoir is place in fluid communication with the swab holder; and
upon application of a second activation force on the second
activation member, the second reservoir is placed in fluid
communication with the swab holder. By this means, the first liquid
and the second liquid may be made to separately flow into the swab
holder and contact the swab.
[0017] The first and second liquids may be reagents used to
performed calorimetric analysis of environmental samples. In one
specific calorimetric analysis, the first reagent is BCA and the
second reagent is a copper sulfate solution, which together may be
used to perform a protein analysis. Alternately, the first liquid
may be a wetting agent used to first wet the swab prior to sampling
to increase the amount of analyte taken by the swab during
environmental sampling. Further, the swab itself may contain
absorbed liquids such as a reagent, may be pre-wetted with a
wetting agent or may contain a solid reagent or other material
adhered to or adsorbed within the swab. Other liquids or solid
materials suitable for use with the sampling device of the present
invention for calorimetric analysis or other uses would be readily
apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art.
[0018] A method for use of a sampling device for the rapid
calorimetric detection of proteins in mold, allergens or other
protein-containing substances is provided. The method comprises
selecting materials of construction for the sampling device that
are compatible with the respective liquids contained in the first
and second reservoirs. Next, the first and second reservoirs are
loaded with their respective liquids. The swab is next fixed in
placed in the swab holder and the removable swab protector is
placed at the peripheral edge of the swab holder opening of the
swab holder. The sampling device may be stored until needed.
[0019] When needed to perform an analysis, the swab protector is
removed and the swab is swiped over the surface of a sampling
object. The first and second reservoirs are next placed in fluid
communication with the swab holder by application of an activation
force on the activation member.
[0020] A sufficient duration of time is allowed to pass for the
development of a positive test result indicator color. If a color
develops, the presence of a protein-containing substance on the
surface of the test object is confirmed. If no indicator color
develops, the absence any protein-containing substance on the
surface of the test object is confirmed.
[0021] Further features and advantages of the present invention
will become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art in view
of the detailed description of exemplary embodiments below, when
considered together with the attached drawings and claims.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0022] Reference will now be made to the drawings wherein like
numerals refer to like parts throughout, and wherein:
[0023] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sampling device according
to the principles of the present invention that shows a first and
second reservoir, a swab holder, and an activation member;
[0024] FIG. 2 is an isometric view of the sampling device of FIG. 1
in an inverted position that shows a swab protector coupled to the
swab holder;
[0025] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the sampling device of FIG. 2
that shows the swab holder, the swab, and the a swab protector;
[0026] FIG. 4 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view of the
sampling device of FIG. 1;
[0027] FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the closed-end portion of the
first and second reservoirs of FIG. 1 that shows the activation
member coupled to the reservoirs before activation of the sampling
device;
[0028] FIG. 6 is a close-up view of the swab holder of FIG. 2 that
shows removal of the swab protector during use of the sampling
device;
[0029] FIG. 7 is a close-up view of the closed-end portion of the
first and second reservoirs of FIG. 1 that shows the activation
member coupled to the reservoirs after activation of the sampling
device;
[0030] FIG. 8A is a an isometric view of the sampling device of
FIG. 1 in an inverted position that shows a positive result for the
detection of protein-containing substances after use in
sampling;
[0031] FIG. 8B is a an isometric view of the sampling device of
FIG. 1 in an inverted position that shows a negative result for the
detection of protein-containing substances after use in sampling;
and
[0032] FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram for a method for the use of
the sampling device of FIG. 1 in the rapid calorimetric detection
of proteins in mold, allergens or other protein-containing
substances.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0033] The embodiments disclosed herein are described in the
context of a sampling device for the rapid detection of proteins in
mold, allergens or other protein-containing substances. One of
ordinary skill in the art would recognize, however, that the
materials and methods disclosed herein will have application in a
number of other contexts where sampling and detection of the
presence or absence of a particular compound is desirable,
particularly where simplicity and ease of use of a
sampling/detection device is important.
[0034] FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a sampling device 100
according to the principles of the present invention that shows a
first reservoir 102 and second reservoir 104, a swab holder 106,
and an activation member 108. FIG. 2 is an isometric view of
sampling device 100 in an inverted position that shows a swab
protector 210 coupled to swab holder 106. As used herein,
positional terms, such as "inverted", "top" and "bottom" and the
like, and directional terms, such as "up", "down", and the like,
are employed for ease of description in conjunction with the
drawings. These terms are not meant to indicate that the components
of the present invention must have a specific orientation except
when specifically set forth below. FIG. 3 is an exploded view of
sampling device 100 of that shows swab holder 106, a swab 312
disposed within swab holder 106, and swab protector 210.
[0035] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, and 3 together, sampling device 100
of the present invention includes first reservoir 102 adapted to
contain a first liquid 416 (FIG. 4), second reservoir 104 adapted
to contain a second liquid 418, and activation member 108 coupled
to both first reagent reservoir 102 and second reagent reservoir
104. Swab holder 106 is coupled to first and second reservoirs 102
and 104 opposite activation member 108 and is adapted to contain
swab 312. In one embodiment, a mixing chamber 114 IS placed between
both of first and second reservoirs 102 and 104 and swab holder
106. First liquid 416 may include a wetting agent, a reagent, a
biological growth medium, or other flowable liquid.
[0036] More particularly, first reservoir 102 and second reservoir
104 are each configured as slender frangible tube adapted to
contain a first liquid 416 (FIG. 4) and a second liquid 418 (FIG.
4), respectively. First reservoir has a closed-end portion 120 and
an open-end portion 422 (FIG. 4) opposite closed-end portion 120.
Second reservoir 104 is similarly configured as a frangible tube
having a closed-end portion 124 and an open-end portion 426 (FIG.
4) opposite closed-end portion 124. The first and second reservoirs
102 and 104 restrict their respective liquids 416 and 418 against
flow through their respective open-end portions 422 and 426 by
capillary action.
[0037] As described more fully below, first reservoir 102 includes
a weaken portion 128 proximate closed-end portion 120 of first
reservoir 102. Similarly, second reservoir 104 includes a weaken
portion 130 proximate closed-end portion 124 of second reservoir
104. Weakened portions 128 and 130 are adapted to break upon
application of an application force F (FIG. 7) on activation member
108.
[0038] Activation member 108 is coupled to both first reservoir 102
and second reservoir 104 at their respective closed-end portions
120 and 124. In another embodiment, activation member 106 is
bifurcated into portions, (not separately shown). An activation
member first portion is coupled only to first reservoir 102 at its
closed-end portion 120 and an activation member second portion is
coupled only to second reservoir 104 at its closed-end portion 424.
Upon application of a first activation force on the first
activation member, first reservoir 102 is place in fluid
communication with swab holder 106; and upon application of a
second activation force on the second activation member, second
reservoir 104 is placed in fluid communication with swab holder
106. By this means, first liquid 416 and second liquid 418 may be
made to separately flow into swab holder 106 and contact swab
312.
[0039] Swab holder 106 defines a cavity and has a swab holder
opening 332 (FIG. 3) at one end of swab holder 106. Swab holder 106
is coupled to first reservoir 102 and second reservoir 104 at a
reservoir-coupling end 334 opposite the swab holder opening 332 of
swab holder 106. As also described more fully below,
reservoir-coupling end 334 of swab holder 106 is open to first
reservoir 102 and second reservoir 104 allowing swab holder 106 to
be concurrently placed in fluid communication with first and second
reservoir 104 and 106 respectively. In the embodiment noted above
wherein activation member 108 is bifurcated, each of first
reservoir 102 and second reservoir 104 may be placed in fluid
communication with swab holder 106 independently.
[0040] Swab 312 is disposed within the cavity defined by swab
holder 106. Swab 312 may project beyond swab holder opening 332 of
the swab holder 106 to allow swab 312 to easily sample an
environmental surface during use of sampling device 100. In one
embodiment, swab 312 is configured as a pad of absorbent non-woven
material adapted to retain, for example, reagent liquids or
adsorbed solid particulate or crystalline compounds. In one
example, swab 312 contains a color developer, such as copper
sulfate (CuSO4) solution, that has been dried on swab 312 to
deposit CuSO4 salt on the non-woven material of swab 312. Swab 312
may be fixed within swab holder 106 with, for example, adhesives or
fasteners. First reservoir 102 contains a wetting agent and second
reservoir 104 contains a protein sensitive reagent, such as BCA. In
this example, CuSO4 salt impregnated swab 312 may be used with the
wetting agent of first reservoir 102 and the BCA of second
reservoir 104 to perform a protein assay.
[0041] Overlying swab 312 is swab protector 210. Swab protector is
a flexible sheet-like layer that closes off swab holder opening 332
of swab holder 106, thereby isolating swab holder 106, and swab 312
contained therein, from moister, dust and other contaminants in the
ambient environment. In one embodiment, swab protector is opaque to
light to protect against deterioration of swab 312 or any material
on swab 312 from exposure to light. The bottom peripheral edges of
swab protector 210 may contain an adhesive material (not shown) to
removably couple and provide a seal between the peripheral edge of
swab holder opening 332 of swab holder 106 to protect swab 312 from
the ambient environment. Other means to couple swab protector 210
to swab holder 106 are possible, such as, by way of example and not
by way of limitation, static cling, "hook" and "loop", and thermo
set adhesive such as found on inductive seals well known to those
of ordinary skill in the art. In one embodiment, swab protector 210
may be replaceable to again close off swab holder opening 332 after
having been removed.
[0042] Prior to use of the sampling device 100, swab protector 210
also protects first liquid 416 disposed within the interior space
defined by first reservoir 102 and second liquid 418 disposed
within the interior space defined by second reservoir 104.
Respective closed-end potions 120 and 124 of first and second
reservoirs 102 and 104, together with swab protector 210, isolate
reservoirs 102 and 104 from the ambient environment.
[0043] FIG. 5 is a close-up view of the closed-end portions 120 and
124 of the first and second reservoirs 102 and 104, respectively,
that shows activation member 108 coupled to the reservoirs before
activation of sampling device 100. FIG. 6 is a close-up view of
swab holder 106 that shows removal of swab protector 210 during use
of sampling device 100. FIG. 7 is a close-up view of closed-end
portions 120 and 124 of first and second reservoirs 102 and 104
that shows activation member 108 coupled to the reservoirs after
activation of sampling device 100.
[0044] Referring to FIGS. 5, 6, and 7 together, prior to use of
sampling device 100, activation member 108 is coupled to closed-end
portions 120 and 124 of first reservoir and second reservoir 102
and 104, respectively. Weaken portion 128 of first reservoir 102
and weaken portion 130 of second reservoir 104 are intact. Thus,
respective closed-end portions 120 and 124 act to contain first
liquid 416 in first reservoir 102 act second liquid 418 in second
reservoir 104 by capillary action. Further, prior to use swab
protector 210 maintains a seal between swab holder 106 and the
ambient environment.
[0045] During use of sampling device 100, sampling device 100 is
inverted and swab protector tab 211 (FIG. 6) of swab protector 210
is grasped by a user of sampling device 100 and swab protector 210
is pealed back to expose swab 312. Next, sampling device 100 is
positioned so that exposed swab 312 is may be used to swab an
environmental surface to obtain a sample of one or more analytes of
interest that may be present on the environmental surface. The user
samples the environmental surface by swiping the now exposed swab
312 across the environmental surface to adhere to swab 312 a
portion of any analyte of interest that the surface may contain. A
user may apply force with a forefinger placed on the top surface of
swab holder 106 during sampling to assure good contact between swab
312 and the environmental surface being sampled.
[0046] Next, after a sample has been obtained, the user of sampling
device 100 applies a lateral activation force F on activation
member 108 (FIG. 7). Upon application of activation force F on
activation member 108, weakened portions 128 and 130 of respective
first and second reservoirs 102 and 104 are severed from their
respective closed-end portions 120 and 124 to opening up closed-end
portions 120 and 124 to atmosphere. The capillary forces holding
first and second liquids 416 and 418 in their respective reservoirs
are released. First reservoir 102 and second reservoir 104 are
placed in fluid communication with swab holder 106 allowing
respective first and second liquids 416 and 418 to flow into swab
holder 106 to contact swab 312. In one embodiment, mixing chamber
114 interposed between both the first and second reservoirs 102 and
104 intermingles first and second liquids 416 and 418 prior to
their flowing into swab holder 106 and contacting the swab 312.
[0047] FIG. 9 is a process flow diagram for a method 900 of use of
sampling device 100 in the rapid calorimetric detection of proteins
in mold, allergens or other protein-containing substances. In one
embodiment, method 900 utilizes the reagents disclosed by Smith.
Referring to FIGS. 1,3,4, and 9 together, start operation 902 of
method 900 commences the use of sampling device 100 for the
calorimetric detection of proteins. Start operation 902 transfers
to select appropriate materials operation 904. In operation 904,
the materials of construction of the sampling device including
first reservoir 102, second reservoir 104, swab holder 106, swab
312, and swab protector 210 are all selected to be compatible with
the first and second liquids 416 and 418. In one embodiment the
material of construction are selected to be compatible with reagent
system disclosed by Smith. After appropriate materials are
selected, operation 904 of method 900 transfers to load reservoir
operation 906.
[0048] In load materials operation 906, first and second reservoirs
102 and 104 are loaded with first liquid 416 and second liquid 418,
respectively. First liquid 416 is BCA and second liquid 418 is a
Cu.sup.++ containing solution such as a copper sulfate solution.
First and second liquids 416 and 418 are loaded by pouring liquid
BCA into the open-end portions 422 and 426 of first and second
reservoirs 102 and 104, respectively, after sampling device 100 has
been placed an inverted position such that open-end portions 422
and 426 pointed upwardly. After first and second liquids 416 and
418 are loaded, swab 312 is coupled to swab holder 106. Swab 106
may be coupled to swab holder by various means that are compatible
with contact with BCA and Cu.sup.++ containing solutions. After
swab 312 is coupled to swab holder 106, the operation 906 transfers
to couple swab protector operation 908.
[0049] In couple swab protector operation 908, swab protector 210,
configured as a flexible sheet-like layer, is placed over swab
holder opening 332 of swab holder 106 and to the peripheral edge of
swab holder opening 332. Swab protector 210 may contain an adhesive
material (not shown) on its peripheral edge to removably couple and
provide a seal between swab holder 106 and the ambient environment
to provide isolation of swab 312, first liquid 416, and second
liquid 418 from moister, dust and other contaminants in the ambient
environment that may interfere with the successful operation of
method 900. Further, swab protector 210 precludes fluid
communication between first and second liquids 416 and 418
contained in first reservoir 102 and second reservoir 104 before
commencement of develop indicator color operation 918 described
below. After completion of couple swab protector operation 908,
store sampling device operation 910 may commence with sampling
device 100. In store sampling device operation 910, sampling device
100 may be stored until needed to carry out the detection of
proteins in mold, allergens or other protein-containing
substances.
[0050] FIG. 8A is an isometric view of sampling device 100 in an
inverted position that shows a positive result for the detection of
protein-containing substances. FIG. 8B is an isometric view of
sampling device 100 in an inverted position that shows a negative
result for the detection of protein-containing substances.
Referring now to FIGS. 8A, 8B, and 9, when sampling device 100 is
used to carry out the detection of proteins on an environmental
surface, operation 910 transfers to remove swab protector operation
912. In operation 912, swab protector 210 (FIG. 2) is removed from
swab holder 106 to expose swab 312 disposed therein. A user peels
off first swab protector 210 by grasping swab protector tab 211 and
pulling off swab protector 211 from its attachment to swab holder
106. After swab protector 210 is removed from swab holder 106,
operation 912 transfers to collect sample operation 914.
[0051] In operation 914, a user of sampling device 100 wipes an
environmental surface for which protein determination is desired
with now exposed swab 312. Swab 312 of sampling device 100 collects
a sample of mold, allergen, etc., which include protein-containing
peptides, from the environmental surface and retains the sample on
the absorbent non-woven substrate material of swab 312. After the
protein sample is secured on swab 312, operation 914 transfers to
apply activation force operation 916.
[0052] In operation 916, while sampling device 100 is placed
upright with the closed-end portions 120 and 124 of respective
first and second reservoirs 102 and 104 above respective open-end
portions 422 and 426, a user of sampling device 100 applies an
activation force F (FIG. 7) to break off closed-end portions of 120
and 124 of respective reservoirs 102 and 104 at their respective
weakened portions 128 and 130. When the closed-end portions 120 and
124 are broken off, first and second reservoirs 102 and 104 are
subjected to atmospheric pressure. The BCA in first reservoir 102
and the Cu.sup.++ containing solution in second reservoir 104 flows
through the open-end portions 422 and 426 respectively and comes
into fluid communication with swab holder 106 through reservoir
coupling end 334 of swab holder 106. Mixing chamber 114 mixes the
BCA and the Cu.sup.++ containing solution before they contact swab
holder 106 to avoid channeling of these liquids. After the BCA and
the Cu.sup.++ containing solution contact swab holder 106, and thus
swab 312 disposed therein, operation 916 transfers to develop
indicator color operation 918.
[0053] In operation 918, a user of sampling device 100 allows
sufficient time for full development of the color on swab 106 that
indicates the presence of protein containing substances. An intense
purple color develops upon binding of BCA with Cu.sup.+ that forms
from the reduction of Cu.sup.++ in contact with any protein
containing substances, as indicated by the horizontal hatching on
swab 312 in FIG. 8A. The purple color of a swab positive result 836
develops when protein-containing substances, such as mold and
allergens, are collected from the candidate environmental surface
onto swab 312 during collect sample operation 914 described above.
In operation 918, a purple color on swab 106 does not develop, as
indicated by the lack of hatching on swab 106 in FIG. 8B in a swab
negative result 838, when protein-containing substances are not
present on the candidate environmental surface. Those of ordinary
skill in the art will understand that the sensitivity of sampling
device 100 and the duration required for full development of swab
positive result 836 may be controlled by the strength and nature of
the reagents used with sampling device 100. After sufficient time
has passed for full development of the indicator color, operation
918 transfers to determine indicator color 920.
[0054] In determine indicator color 920, a user of sampling device
100 observes the presence or absence of the above described purple
indicator color on swab 106. After a user has determined the
presence or absence of the purple color, operation 920 transfers to
"is color present?" operation 922.
[0055] In operation 922, a user answers the question affirmatively
"YES" by observing is the color of swab 106 with the purple
indicator color present, i.e., swab positive result 836; or
negatively "NO" for the purple indicator color not present.
[0056] If the result of operation 922 is "YES" for the indicator
color, operation 922 transfers to positive result operation 924
where the presence of protein-containing substances on the sampled
environmental surface is confirmed resulting in the end of method
900 at end operation 928. If the result of operation 922 is "NO"
for lack of the indicator color, operation 922 transfers to
negative result operation 926 where the absence of
protein-containing substances on the sampled environmental surface
is confirmed resulting in the end of method 900 at end operation
928.
[0057] The present invention has been described herein in
considerable detail to provide those skilled in the art with
information relevant to apply the novel principles and to construct
and use such specialized components as are required. Specifically,
embodiments of the sampling device and method have been described
with reference to the detection of protein-containing substance
such as mold and allergens. More specifically, the present
invention has been described with reference to a specific
calorimetric test. However, the present invention is adaptable to
any number of calorimetric tests. Further, it is to be understood
that the present invention can be carried out by different
equipment, materials and devices, and that various modifications,
both as to the equipment and operating procedures, can be
accomplished without departing from the scope of the invention
itself. For example, the sampling device of the present invention
may include at least one additional liquid reservoir coupled to the
swab holder and adapted to contain an additional liquid.
* * * * *